St. Maarten Private Eye

With so many people and our economy depending on these and other seaside developments on St. Maarten it's worth mentioning that it could all come crashing down like a house of cards if we get a serious hurricane.
Cupecoy, Westin, Cay Bay, Red Pond, Barbaron and Gauna Bay, these projects are all at risk. Then the investors leave, then the developers leave, then we are left with 1/2 dozen Mullet Bays
My advice is to start padding the old nest for a rainy day. All it takes is a couple of hours and St. Maarten could be knocked back to October 1995.
I hope I'm wrong.............................................................. or do I really ??????

The laws of averages and probabilities do not agree with the 'if' in your comment, it's not if, but when the island gets hit by a big storm. It could be this year, next, maybe in 5 years or 20. Some may think if we pray hard enough we can stay safe, good luck to them. If you plan to build, build for a catagory 5, it's the only way to safeguard yourself, your home and save on insurance.

Hady

Some of these projects wouldn't survive a sneeze much less a cat 5.
Don't get me wrong I don't wish another hurricane on us but I do wish something would happen to stop all this maddness.
We need a chance to step back and catch our breath and to get control of the situation.

Who is we? The people of the island or the people that we have chosen as our heads in government? The fact is that these building permits have been permitted simply because there are some people in the government's offices who may have shares in these projects. What could we as a nation possibly do with a situation that's spiralling out of control on this tiny island with a government that is filled with corruption and lawlessness. The photos suggest that the building codes have been entirely overlooked- the structure is less than 100 feet away from the ocean line! And like someone mentioned..WHEN another hurricane slams St. Maarten the economy will be hit hard because many of the investors will once again pack up and run. We have an island that is welcoming everyone and everything with open arms disregarding the consequences; in the end we will suffer along with our children while these investors who have raked our economy will flourish somewhere else in the world.
We have but ONE St. Maarten, and if we're not careful to secure it everything will be lost.

When will we learn from past mistakes. Since the early eighties there have been numerous dissasters: Hurricanes, greedy government official, blind inspectors, ruthless investors. It's all nice and well to invite everyone to come to the island and put their stamp of ownership on their little piece of the rock. Everyone loves SXM until the rain and wind comes. Then they all pack up for dryer pastures. Ask Ansari when he's coming back to bulldoze the derelick buildings at Mullet. WE the SXM people are to blame aswell. We tolorate the development. Most St.Maarteners have not been lately to the cupecoy area or Oysterpond. Everyday you can see persons shaking their heads when passing the former Bells property, the future indego bay. We the St.Maarten people have to say enough is enough. Stop the uncontrolled developement.

Gandhi said, "Each of us may have just a small thing to do, but it is very important that you do it." So, come on along. Can we achieve through a working network of citizens a protection of our quality of life and local resources from overdevelopment and unsustainable growth? Will we work for those who understand these issues and work against those who do not? Can we educate everyone?

..... to have a moratorium passed by EXCO for any new development? What is necessary to get that ball rolling? Yeah, yeah, I know the chances are slim now with our new Commissioner of Public Works having the last word, but would't it be St. Maarten's last chance of stopping all of the outrageous development?

Is there any property left for them to fuck up. I am sure that they have plans we have no clue about on future developments. I was at the Atlantis Casino last week and I could not believe that large monstrous building called Rainbow Towers with construction like that the Island flavor is lost forever. Just like Las Vegas they have built that up to where the infrastructure was not planned ahead and there is no room for additional highways. Too many people, not enough roads and too many cars.

A new government. Next opportunity is at the end of next year when 15 parliament seats will be up for grabs in the New Status. At the very least, it will take a new party, a green party perhaps, which with a few seats can have an influence. The current free for all is not totally unplanned, this govt is the one that wants ring roads around the salt pond and links everywhere, more condos and developments, bigger and more cruise ships. I am convinced they want a Miami/Las Vegas in the Caribbean.

Sadly, it seems most of those candidates who were on the slates have gone back to obscurity again, no doubt they will rise up again a couple months before the elections next year. Personnally, I think a party with the support and minds of this site's writers and readers could pick up a couple of seats.

Anyone out there willing to take that step? Yes, it's a s**ty job, but someone has to do it. Seriously..... A couple of you out there reading this know I am talking to you. St. Maarten needs you.

Dr. Voodoo